Aston Villa travel to face Southampton tonight and Dean Smith could make changes to the side which lost 3-2 to Burnley in midweek. Morgan Sanson is now a Villa player and might be in contention to make his debut for the club at St Mary’s.
Emiliano Martinez conceded three goals on Wednesday but hasn’t put much of a foot wrong this season so he’s unlikely to lose his place. Kortney Hause is out injured and Bjorn Engels is surplus to requirements, so Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa both get the nod at centre-back by default.
Matty Cash wasn’t at his best against Burnley, but he still had more touches (91) than any other player and won three aerial duels (WhoScored), so he’s expected to start at right-back ahead of Ahmed Elmohamady and Frederic Guilbert.
Matt Targett grabbed an assist on Wednesday and had a better pass completion percentage (78.1%) than any Villa defender, so Smith should give him the nod also in an unchanged back four.
Moving to midfield, Douglas Luiz has averaged a tackle (18) or interception (20) every 39 minutes this season, so his place isn’t at risk. Smith might give him a lone deep-lying role tonight, though.
Ross Barkley wasn’t at his best against Burnley and doesn’t appear to be match fit after his two-month absence through injury, so Morgan Sanson could make his debut, with Smith confirming that the new signing is available for the Southampton trip.
John McGinn returned in midweek and created two chances while turning over possession three times (WhoScored), so he is likely to keep his place. Smith might just push him higher up the pitch as Sanson generally plays deeper than Barkley.
Bertrand Traore wasn’t at his best against Burnley, resulting in his second-half substitution, but he should be given a chance on Saturday to put that right. The 25-year-old is likely to get good graces for his fine run of form – four goals and one assist in last seven games.
Jack Grealish created five chances and scored in midweek, so there’s little chance of him losing his place.
Ollie Watkins has played every minute of every Premier League game and scored against Burnley, so he should lead the line once again.
Just the one change from Wednesday, then, as Barkley makes way to give Sanson his Villans debut.
Predicted XI v Southampton: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett; Luiz, McGinn; Sanson; Traore, Grealish; Watkins
